2026 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools in the Southwest Region

[Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 90 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools.
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2026 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools
Our analysis ranked The University Of Texas Pan American the best value for a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $61,846. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of North Texas At Dallas came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,595, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. The acceptance rate is 84%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Houston Victoria one of the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $48,689. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston Clear Lake earned it the #4 place for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $62,552 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas Womans University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $24,211. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $53,700 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University placed #6 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $18,660 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $46,473 early in their careers. Set against $18,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #7 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $23,312. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $62,131. Set against $23,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Lamar University landed the #8 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $61,726. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Midwestern State University landed the #9 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Set in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,950, while out-of-state students pay about $11,770. Students borrow a median of $26,415 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Midwestern State University generally make around $49,638. Set against $26,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Houston placed #10 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $21,255. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $77,167. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Texas A And M University San Antonio came in at #11 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,654 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,255 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $22,771. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $45,681. Set against $22,771 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Arizona State University earned the #12 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $69,344. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern Oklahoma State University landed the #13 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Set in the town of Alva, Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,970, with out-of-state students paying around $11,664. Students borrow a median of $22,438 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $50,404. Set against $22,438 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwestern Oklahoma State University admits about 66% of applicants.
Cameron University earned the #14 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the city of Lawton, Cameron University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,095, while out-of-state students pay about $16,515. Students borrow a median of $23,967 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Cameron University generally make around $43,250. That is a strong return on a $23,967 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Tyler earned the #15 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,512, compared with $24,512 for out-of-state students. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,959 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $52,767. Set against $20,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of North Texas earned the #16 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,583 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $58,758. That is a strong return on a $19,583 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Phoenix Arizona ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,552. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $40,687. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $62,987. That is a strong return on a $40,687 median debt.
Northeastern State University came in at #18 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,810, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $23,465. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Northeastern State University earn a median of $49,040 early in their careers. Set against $23,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Northern Arizona University placed #19 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $62,275 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rogers State University came in at #20 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the town of Claremore, Rogers State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,750, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Students borrow a median of $22,936 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Rogers State University generally make around $45,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Angelo State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Set in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,237 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $45,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #22 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Students borrow a median of $21,632 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $55,304 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,632 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Weatherford. Students from in state pay about $8,469 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,499. Students borrow a median of $20,795 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $53,204. Set against $20,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Arizona earned the #24 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $21,861. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $66,909 early in their careers. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #25 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,337 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $72,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s clinical, counseling & applied psychology value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 90 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 52 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.